Finland Could Hand over a Small Number of Leopard 2 Tanks to Ukraine

Finland could donate some German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine if a wider group of European nations also decided to do so.

"If tanks would be sent, that is why Finland's offering could not be very numerous," Sky News quotes Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.

Finland, which has applied for NATO membership, could only share a limited number of tanks as the country's arms are needed to guard its long border with Russia, the president said.

The country has about 200 German tanks in service.

Earlier, the Finnish mass media reported that Finland’s political leadership was waiting for a decision from Germany and other major countries, and says it will not be the first to decide to send tanks.

Defence Minister Mikko Savola announced that Finland was preparing the 12th package of military assistance to Ukraine.

As reported, Polish President Andrzej Duda said during his visit to Lviv that Warsaw had decided to hand over a company of Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv within the framework of the international coalition.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday he remained convinced of the need to coordinate weapons deliveries to Ukraine with allies as pressure mounts on Berlin to send Kyiv its Leopard 2 battle tanks rather than acting alone.